Measuring instrument



April 30,- 1946. B NEALQN v 2,399,288

MEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor fine/cw (IA/5,41. o/v,

April 30, 1946. P JRNEALON 2,399,288

MEAsURiNG INSTRUMENT Filed Oct 17, 19 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/ I p30 2.9 I Z6 x l i 4 a V /5 l V /v6 Inventor Fare/cw J Mm. o/v,

'ing drawings, wherein Patented Apr. 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,399,288 MEASURING INSTRUMENT Patrick J. Nealon, Lakewood, Ohio Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 559,016

,2 Claims.

This invention relates to measuring instruments and more particularly to such an instrument as calipers, dividers, or the like. 7

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved measuring instrument such as a pair of calipers, characterized by the absence of the conventional horizontally extending adjusting screw, whereby the instrument may be utilized in spaces and apertures of relatively small dimensions.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such an instrument which may be readily adjusted, the adjusting screw being carried in vertical position with respect thereto, whereby in certain instances, as in the case of the use of internal calipers in tubing, piping or the like, the instrument may be inserted to the full depth of the caliper without interference by any horizontally protruding adjusting mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of such an instrument which may be carried or contained in a relatively small space in a tool box or in the pocket, or the like, and which may be utilized with safety in restricted areas, without the possibility of a horizontally ex tending adjusting screw becoming entangled in adjacent mechanism.

Still another object is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efllcient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanythere is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of an inside caliper embodying this inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure lshowing the parts in a different position of adjustment.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device seen in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 8.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Figure 5 as viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings there are shown at l0 and H two oppositely disposed caliper blades, each provided with inclines at their upper extremities I2 and I 3, respectively, and each having a notch l4 and 15, respectively, surfaces at a point adjacent;

between two opposed arcuate surfaces formed on the inner sides of the blades l0 and ll.

Pivot pin 16 has its extremities suitably secured in two side plates I1 and I8, of substan tially T-shaped configuration, the heads of the T's being adapted to extend across the blades I0 and I l. {is best shown in Figures 5 and 6 a block The shank of bolt 22 passes through an aperture 24 in a mid-point of an arcuate leaf spring 25, the ends 25a of which are adapted to seat in notches I4 and I5 of blades l0 and II, respectively, the tendency of the spring being to rotate the blades about the pivot I6 in such manner as to force inclines I2 and I3 into abutting relationship and separate the extremities of the blades l0 and H.

A collet or washer 26 surrounds bolt 22 above spring 25, and normally abuts a flange 21 comprising the lower extremity of a, threaded sleeve 28, surrounding which is a knurled knob 29 of plastic or other suitable composition, the lower extremity of which is ward each other, whereupon the blades are forced/ outwardly away from each other. The blades m y continue to separate until the surfaces l2 and I3 are in abutting relation. or correspondingly until the bolt head 23 strikes the upper. extremity of the sleeve 28, either of which serves to limit the further outward motion of the blades l0 and II. While the instant inventive concept has been hereinbefore described and shown in connection with a pair of inside calipers, it is to be understood that it may be equally advantageously applied to such instruments as outside calipers, dividers, or the like. w

Now from the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided a device accomplishing all the objects 01 this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be'made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbeiore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. In a measuring instrument including a pair of pivotally associated blades having recesses therein and an arcuate spring having its extremities seated in said recesses and biasing the blades outwardly, a pair of opposed side plates, a pivot extending therebetween on which said blades pivot, a bolt secured between the upper extremities of said side plates and extending above said spring, and a nut on said bolt above said spring adapted when rotated to compress said spring to force said blades together.

2. In a measuring instrument including a pair of pivotally associated blades having recesses therein and an arcuate spring having its extremities seated irlqsaid recesses and biasing the blades outwardly, a pair of opposed side plates, a pivot extending therebetween on which said blades pivot, a bolt secured between the upper extremities of said side plates, means forming an aperture in a mid-point of said spring, said boltextending above and through said aperture, and a nut on said bolt adapted when rotated to compress said spring to force said blades to ether.

PATRICK J. NEALON. 

